Fijian Government confirms details of reopening plan.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has this afternoon confirmed an easing of restrictions, including the removal of quarantine requirements for arrivals from designated “travel partner countries” including Australia, New Zealand, the USA, UK, most of the Pacific Island nations and more.
Tourists from these markets will have no quarantine requirement from 11 November, ahead of an official reopening date of 01 December when the first Fiji Airways tourist flights will recommence.
After showing proof of vaccination and testing negative for the virus 72 hours prior to departure, visitors will arrive in Fiji and then head straight to their hotel where they will spend their first two days in the country.
“They won’t be locked in a room. They can use all hotel amenities and get settled in.Then, a Rapid Diagnostic Test taken 48 hours after their arrival will grant them free rein of safe travel areas, where they can take part in tours that allow our tour operators to make a living, shop for souvenirs and eat at restaurants,” the Fijian PM said.
The borders of the safe travel areas are being drawn up now, with the aim of continuing to provide protection for areas with low vaccination coverage.
Bainimarama said the two day period of hotel confinement was likely to be relaxed as more Fijians become fully vaccinated.
All hotels and tour operators working with inbound tourists must become Care Fiji Commitment Certified under a program requiring the highest standards of comfort, health and safety. Hotels must make the arrangements for and bear the costs of all COVID-19 testing, and must guarantee access to “comfortable, well-supplied isolation facilities and medical care”.
Arrivals into Fiji from countries not yet designated as travel partner nations must complete a 10 day stint in a quarantine centre upon arrival, before a negative COVID-19 test result clears them to enter the community.
Qantas and Jetstar have also this afternoon announced the return of direct flights from Sydney to Fiji from mid-December, with an initial schedule of more than 3,200 weekly seats and the potential to ramp up frequencies in 2022 if demand is strong.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Travel Daily.